MDEQ: Swimming warning for two sections of water off Hancock County shores

MDEQ advises against swimming right now in waters off two sections of Hancock County's beach. (Photo Source: WLOX)

HANCOCK COUNTY, MS (WLOX) -

If you are planning to hit the beach, there is a new section of water in the Mississippi Sound that you want to avoid. The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality issued a water contact advisory Wednesday for Buccaneer State Park Beach from 100 yards west of the sign eastward to 100 yards east of the sign.

The water contact advisory issued Friday remains in effect for Lakeshore Beach from the Silver Slipper Casino eastward to Poinset.

MDEQ warns if you swim in these sections of the Mississippi Sound off of Hancock County shores, the current high bacteria levels mean you have a higher chance of getting sick.

MDEQ will lift the advisories when water samples show that levels are safe for human contact again. The Beach Task Force wants to remind everyone of its standing recommendation that swimming not occur in any waters during or within 24 hours of what it describes as a significant rainfall event.